By Ashanthi Ratnasingham
Sri Lanka is entering a defining chapter in its digital journey—one that could reshape how citizens live, work, and connect. As global economies accelerate toward smarter governance, inclusive connectivity, and resilient digital infrastructure, Sri Lanka is laying the groundwork to leapfrog into a digitally empowered future. Leading this transformation is Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya, Chief Advisor to the President on Digital Economy and Chairman of the Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA). A respected business leader with deep roots in technology and telecommunications, Dr. Wijayasuriya brings a unique blend of private sector agility and public sector vision to the country’s digital agenda.
What sets this initiative apart is not just the ambition—but the extraordinary coalition of volunteer experts powering it. Many of the officials driving key elements of the national digital strategy, including ICTA board members, technical advisors, and working group leaders, have offered their services on a pro bono basis. United by a shared commitment to national progress, this diverse group of professionals from across the public sector, private industry, and the Sri Lankan diaspora is helping the government navigate complex reforms with limited fiscal space but boundless resolve.
In this exclusive interview with Lanka Business Online, Dr. Wijayasuriya shares the milestones achieved in the first six months of the new administration, unpacks the structural reforms ahead, and explains how Sri Lanka is building a digital economy that is inclusive, trusted, and future ready.
Q: With the new government now six months into its term, what concrete steps have been taken to advance Sri Lanka’s digital economy?
A: One of the most important early steps was to reframe the digital economy—not as a narrow Technology challenge, but as a national economic imperative. That mindset shift was foundational. Instead of focusing only on tech platforms or automation, we recognized and positioned digital transformation as a means of driving GDP growth, improving citizen services, and enhancing competitiveness across all sectors.
This led to the establishment of a dedicated Ministry for the Digital Economy, which brings together all the institutions critical to this agenda under one roof. These include the ICTA, the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC), the Department for Registration of Persons, the Data Protection Authority, and SLCERT- Sri Lanka’s Cybersecurity Agency and SLT among others.
We’ve also set ourselves a bold and measurable target—to grow the digital economy from approximately USD 3-4 Billion today to USD 15 billion in five years. That’s an audacious fivefold increase, moving the contribution of the digital economy from 3% to 12–15% of GDP. This ambitious vision obviously requires a leapfrog strategy. If we don’t establish robust foundations and architectures, and equally, move with agility and speed, we risk falling behind regional countries that are already aiming for a 20%+ Digital Economy component over the next 5 years.. We’re not chasing vanity metrics— there is a direct correlation between Digital Economy Percentage and Penetration, and the potential uplift to GDP growth itself.
Actions and achievements during the first 6 months feature a mix of foundational work alongside the unlocking of quick-win opportunities. Foundational outcomes include the design of the Digital Economy Blueprint for Sri Lanka, an Enterprise Architecture for Government, an AI strategy and the kick-off of several foundational projects including the Sri Lanka Unique Digital Identity and AI based automation of Government Services. In parallel with this foundational work which will deliver transformative outcomes in due course, we have also focused on unlocking immediate opportunities – an example of the latter is the digitization of Payments to Government via the GovPay platform.
Q: What are the foundational pillars driving this transformation?
A: The Digital Economy Blueprint that I mentioned earlier comprises of multiple layers – starting with Physical Digital Infrastructure which encompasses Fibre and Wireless 5G/4G Broadband Infrastructure as well as Cloud and Data Infrastructure, and importantly the Sri Lanka Government Cloud to support all Public Sector Applications. The next, and I would say, transformative layer is the Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) which includes the Digital ID, National Data Exchange, Digital Signatures, Digital Certificates and very importantly National Payment Infrastructure, among others.
These infrastructure layers of the Digital Economy will enable the spawning of an Application Service Creation Layer which will enable Developers and Stakeholders across the Public and Private Sector to develop Digital Transformation Solutions using the capabilities and APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) from the underlying layers. Applications and Services will then be presented to Citizens and Businesses via an Access layer which will feature Mobile Apps, Web Interfaces, AI Bots and other access interfaces.
The Digital ID project which is underway now is a very critical DPI within this framework and will feature biometric authentication and a unique digital credential for citizens. A sandbox phase will begin in the next 3–6 months, but full population coverage will take about two years.
Q: What immediate wins are being pursued alongside long-term reforms?
A: We’ve made it a priority to deliver visible, meaningful wins in parallel with laying the long-term foundations. One of the standout examples is GovPay, our integrated government payment platform built in collaboration with LankaPay and the Central Bank. Today, it enables digital payments across over 30 government institutions, including departments like the Motor Traffic Department – a number which will soon exceed 50.
GovPay is set to transform citizen convenience –Digital payment of Traffic fines now in the pilot phase, is an example. Card based payments forhighway tolls is also being piloted by the Ministry of Transport & Highways. We also have in place an Industry Working Group focused on enabling the wider adoption of QR payments and other digital payments. This is all a part of a broader push to proliferate digital payments across sectors and socio-economic segments. The Government’s goal is to build a cashless, paperless, presence-less government service model, and payments are a critical enabler of that vision.
The application of AI also presents several quick win opportunities - our Advisory Committee on AI is currently in the process of implementing an AI-First Government Information Centre.
Of course, technology alone will not deliver a leap-frog transformation Parallel focus is being applied to on process innovation, mindset and behavioral change, citizen centricity, trust-building, and incentivizing adoption.
Q: How is ICTA collaborating with other ministries to drive digital integration?
A: The Ministry of Digital Economy and its institutions including the ICTA, play an enabling as well as guiding role. We will focus on building the foundational layers of the Blueprint and on defining architectures, interoperability frameworks, standards and operating guidelines. This approach will enable Ministries and Institutions as well as the Private Sector to drive their respective digital transformation programmes on top of shared infrastructure and in line with defined standards with respect to inter-operability, data sharing and cross-system integration.
Take the traffic fines payment solution for example. This initiative is driven by the Ministry of Transport and involves several stakeholders including Sri Lanka Police. The ICTA played the role of an integrator and facilitator - enabling the backend payment integration and assisting with operationalizing the service via GovPay which is a shared platform. This operating model is scalable and sustainable and will apply broadly to address opportunities as well as pain points brought to us by institutions across government.
To add a few other examples we are also working with the Ministry of Industries to accelerate e-commerce readiness, and with Provincial and local government bodies across Sri Lanka, who are eager to digitise the payment of rates and levies as well as various other citizen services. The interest digitization is very organic, which is heartening.
On a broader canvas, there are a host of digitization initiatives, too many to mention, delivered by a wide spectrum of institutions which have significant impact on specific citizen segments – just for example, the Digitisation and decentralization of the application process for President’s Fund donations. Also, early this year Stationary distribution to school children was implemented via a QR code voucher. It is this momentum and enthusiasm from across the public and private sectors which will lift the tide and deliver a digitized nation.
To support this momentum, the capacity at the Ministry and ICTA has been augmented through a Programme Management Unit at the Ministry and the contribution of an expanded team of volunteer experts which allows us to handle multiple partnerships simultaneously and avoid execution bottlenecks.
Q: There’s talk of restructuring ICTA. What’s the plan?
A: ICTA will eventually be succeeded by two new institutions:
- The Digital Economy Authority – which will lead and oversee the National Digital Economy policy and execution strategy, performance management and standard setting.
- GovTech – which will be the principal execution agency for digital economy acceleration, and which will execute major projects like the Digital ID and national data exchange.
The Digital Economy Blue Print as well as the supporting institutional model has been derived following a close examination of Global Benchmarks and Case Studies such as those from India, Singapore and Estonia. The transition from the present to future institutional architecture is being carefully managed to avoid disruption to ongoing work.
Q: How are you addressing the digital divide in rural and underserved areas?
A: Inclusion isn’t an afterthought—it’s core to our Digital Economy Strategy and blueprint. Every initiative is evaluated against two questions: How do we bridge existing gaps and asymmetries through digital means? And are we assured that new gaps aren’t being created?
At a fundamental level, the development of Broadband infrastructure, with specific focus on equal access to high-speed broadband across Sri Lanka will be a key focus. TRCSL leads this subject and is currently executing a project to accelerate the development of infrastructure through the utilization of the Telecom Development Charge Fund. Furthermore, the TRCSL in collaboration with the ICTA is driving the expansion of the Lanka Government Network and the provision of connectivity to Schools, Hospitals and a wide spectrum of Government institutions. This initiative has a knock-on effect as well – since for example, once a school is fibre-connected, nearby communities benefit too, unlocking local digital ecosystems.
We’re also working on device access strategies and boosting digital literacy across all segments of society. In addition, we’re promoting cybersecurity awareness to ensure that citizens are equipped with the knowledge required to engage safely with the internet.
Our broader ambition is to level the access to opportunity - and to eliminate existing asymmetries with respect to the access to education, health, commerce, and public services.
Q: Is there sufficient funding to support these initiatives?
A: Yes. The 2025 budget allocates LKR 24 billion in total for Digital Economy Acceleration:
- LKR 3 billion for the execution of the Digital Economy Blueprint and the development of new digital public infrastructure
- LKR 7 billion for Projects and initiatives of the Digital Ministry and its institutions
- LKR 14 billion allocated to other Ministries and institutions to support their digitization initiatives.
Beyond direct funding, our approach emphasizes on ensuring that the projects deliver acceptable Returns on Investment and Financial sustainability. We are also focusing on investment modalities which will serve to moderate Government Investment and Maximise Private Sector Opportunities – these modalities include Public Private Partnerships , Licensing of Digital Services and the Operation of open digital platforms where private sector innovation can thrive.
Q: What safeguards are in place to protect citizen data and digital rights?
A: Trust and privacy need to be embedded by design. For example, the National Data Exchange will include a consent platform ensuring that citizens have control over access to their data. We're also applying principles related to processing personal data, like data minimization and proportionality across all platforms.
Key legal frameworks which underly digital trust include the Personal Data Protection Act (which will come into effect in phases commencing October 2025), forthcoming Cybersecurity Legislation Bill, and overarching (new) legislation which will establish and govern the Digital Economy Authority and overall governance of Digital Economy Development. Digital Trust and Governance will be further ensured via the strengthening of Independent regulators such as the Data Protection Authority, the TRCSL and the upcoming Cyber Security Authority.
Q: What’s the latest on the Cybersecurity Bill and Sri Lanka’s readiness?
A: Legislation pertaining to Cybersecurity Governance and Assurance is in its final phase of drafting and is envisaged to lead to the establishment of an independent Cybersecurity Authority to regulate civilian cybersecurity, which will be distinct from the subject of Military Cyber Security Operations. The establishment of a regulatory framework specific to the Civilian Dimension aligns with global best practice and provides for ensuring transparency, accountability and public trust. On the operational side, the National Cybersecurity Operations Centre (NCSOC) at SLCERT is currently being established, and will be capable of monitoring threats and coordinating responses in real-time.
Sri Lanka is is currently ranked alongside several advanced nations as a Tier 2 country with respect to cybersecurity readiness This is a strong foundation, and our goal is to maintain and improve our ranking as the prevalence and impact of Cyber Security threats continues to increase. Sri Lanka is also an active contributor to the Asia Pacific-CERT network, having hosted several AP-CERT Cybersecurity drills in the past.
Q: Any new digital services the public can expect soon?
A: Definitely. As I mentioned earlier – the ambition is future state that is cashless, paperless, and presence-less.
In line with the roll-out of the Digital Pubic Infrastructure, Citizens will see a wide range of Digital Services, and accompanying conveniences being made available by Public and Private sector institutions.
In the very short term, it is our ambition that by year-end, most government payments should be facilitated digitally, and QR and other Digital payments widely adopted.
AI is an all-new frontier – as I mentioned earlier, We're exploring its use in delivering government information—enabling citizens to interact with government 24/7 through AI-powered interfaces. It’s a sustainable and low-risk application that could significantly improve service delivery.
Digital Transformation is for and by the Citizens of Sri Lanka – we are all stakeholders in delivering the change we want to see - contributing ideas, demanding efficiency, convenience and transparency, and embracing change ourselves is something we all need to commit to.